Microworlds
Lesson 7
The Field of View (or Seeing More of Less)
Students will practice with their microscopes. They will look at different kinds of print.
3. Lesson Set-up and Management
4-5 INQI Scientists report the results of their investigations honestly, even when those results show their predictions were wrong, or when they cannot explain the results.
- Students will come to a more complete understanding of field of view.
- Students will make predictions of field of view.
- Students will measure in millimeters.
- Teacher will assess student’s understanding of field of view.
3. Lesson Set-Up and Management
Materials:
- Teacher will need to photocopy Activity Sheet 5. This is something that cannot be easily created in their notebooks.
- Students will need the same materials that they used in lesson 2. Using a paper plate to carry materials works well.
- For the rigid ring, you can cut a circle out of the middle of an 18 x 11 piece of construction paper. This way you can put things behind it to show field of view, without students seeing the remainder of the object. You can laminate it to make it sturdier.
- Select classroom objects ahead of time, that are various sizes to demonstrate field of view.
- You can make copies of the ruler from the bottom of the Activity Sheet on overhead film. Then cut them apart, so each student has one. This is a little easier to see through than the paper. You can save these rulers from year to year.
Student Management:
- Make sure students each have their own microscope for this activity.
- The group materials need to be placed between the students so each child can have access to them.
- Students will be removing one hair from their head to look at under the microscope. Make sure they are only pulling one hair from their own head.
- Have a classroom discussion to see what students’ current understanding of field of view is. Then, do the demonstration of field of view with the class.
- The concept of field of view can be difficult for students. Make sure you take the time to discuss Find Out For Yourself in the Student Activity Book.
- Go over Activity Sheet 5 very carefully with students. Depending on the level of your students and their reading level, you may want to keep all your students doing the same activity. That way you can read each step with them.
- The most important part of each lesson is the reflection part. This happens in the Final Activities. Make sure you discuss all the bulleted points.
Math Support:
- Students practiced finding field by measuring how many millimeters they could see in their microscopes. They also used their hair as a measuring tool. Micrometers are a way to measure microscopic things. Your students could do more research on this.
Last updated 02/20/2010